Tip for 8/16 ... about digital "cards"

[angedawn]

Here's a little tip that I have used a ton lately! I asked at my local post office and a 4 by 6 photo print meets all the "specifications" for post cards. So, while I used to make cards the old traditional paper way (which I still somtimes do...) now I make a lot of them digitally, print them out as 4 by 6 prints and mail them as a postcard. The lastest example of a card I made is right here:

Arissa's thank you cards (http://www.scrapartist.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1037&limit=recent)

I left some "blanks" for my daughter to write in names and gifts, but if she had to write the whole thing, these cards would never get done! Anyway, I'm just going to address the back and throw a post card stamp on them and send them on their way. It's good to note that a good photo pen is a must if you are going to do this type of card!

I have also done thank you cards, where the front image is digitally scrapped and says thanks, but have written on and addressed the backs.

[Nevermore]

Your card is lovely. I went to a dinner party on Sunday, came home and touched up and printed out some photos of the hosts' children. While I was at it, I did a mega quick thank you card (a few elements, some nice thoughts) and delivered the whole thing the next day. I was surprised by the reaction: "Yeah, thanks for the photos of the kids but truthfully we have a million of them. But your thank you card is out of this world."

I guess I take scrapping "for granted" sometimes but those that don't or can't are often really pleased with even the simplest stuff. Now thinking I will have to actually scrap the kid's photos--they might appreciate 'em more!

Sorry, rambled off topic there. My point was that people are often very pleased with scrapped thank you cards and 4 x 6 takes very little time to print out and can be done very quickly (I am sure yours wasn't but mine was less than an hour, which for me is lightening speed compared to a full size layout.)

[angedawn]

Nevermore,
That surprises me that they reacted so positively to your card, but so "luke warm" to your photos! I don't think I have ever turned down a photo of my children! I am glad that they liked your card though!

[Nevermore]

Nevermore,
That surprises me that they reacted so positively to your card, but so "luke warm" to your photos! I don't think I have ever turned down a photo of my children! I am glad that they liked your card though!

Umm, you have never seen my photography :rolleyes: :D I am doing my best to become a better photographer and spend a little time every day doing exercises, reading stuff etcetera. I plan on participating in the photo challenges here. Until I bought my new camera, I think I was using scrapping for all of the creativity--of course I love my photos because they are my loved ones but they were pretty run of the mill and the layouts added zing (and, if I am honest, often allowed me to use really bad photos). I still think of scrapping as the zing but hope to get more creative with my camera. Since I use software for my "creativity" and don't get too freaked about it, I figure if I bring that same attitude to my camera I can stop being so freaked about f-stops and all the technical gobbledy gook and treat the math and scientific stuff the same way I treat my software--cool tools to a nifty end. Have you figured out by now that I am a rambler? :o

[CindyJW]

Nevermore, you are so cute! I love to read your "ramblings"!

I really liked your comment I guess I take scrapping "for granted" sometimes but those that don't or can't are often really pleased with even the simplest stuff.

I'm going to start doing more of that. I really like the idea of doing thank you cards!

[Coffeebean]

I LOVE this tip! I have always wanted to make thank you cards, but never have been terribly motivated to make the mess. Digital cards are a fabulous idea, especially when printed out on 4x6's. I can't wait to try this. Do they hold up well in the mail or do they get mangled?

[NishaM]

Angie, your tip couldn’t have come at a better time. I have just printed thankyou cards for Zahra’s first birthday. I got them printed for 20 cents on photo paper & was planning to matt them onto cardstock. I like the postcard idea better & have a couple of questions about your postcard if you don’t mind answering them:

What sort of paper did you print them on?
What thickness is it?

Thanks a lot
NISHA

[angedawn]

NISHA - and Coffeebean,

I just have them printed up at the local photo-processing lab, like Walmart, or Sam's Club, etc. Then I write on the back of them and put a stamp right on the back of them, send them off in the mail. I haven't ever had any problem with the thickness of the paper or anything. They hold up pretty good. I mean - if it were a "one of a kind" antique photo of your grandmother you would want to frame on the wall of your home, I wouldn't recomend mailing it as a postcard, but for quick thank you notes and such they get there in good shape and get the job done! :)

[SamanthasMom]

That is a really great idea! I think I will do one just to send a pic to my grandmother about Samantha's milestones each month because we don't see her as often as we should!